Ex-Ink Masters Star Chris Blinston Arrested for Allegedly Choking His 13-Year-Old Daughter — Which He Denies
Professional tattoo artist Chris Blinston was arrested in Florida on Sept. 1 after his 13-year-old daughter reportedly claimed he put both of his hands around her neck and strangled her, leaving her gasping for air.
The former Ink Masters star was booked in Palm Beach at nearly 4 a.m. and is charged with felony child abuse and domestic battery by strangulation, to which he has pleaded not guilty, according to booking and court records reviewed by PEOPLE.
He was released at 2:30 p.m. later that day on a $6,000 bond.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Blinston denied the allegations against him, dismissing the claims as “false.”
According to a police report obtained by TMZ, Blinston’s daughter alleged her father choked her twice during an argument sprung by a custody visit at his house on Aug. 29.
In between the alleged incidents, Blinston’s daughter claimed the two traded verbal barbs, with him allegedly calling her a “mental skank” and warning her there would be repercussions if she told anyone about the incident, according to TMZ.
The report said Blinston’s daughter’s confession was first made to a therapist, which triggered the investigation, TMZ reported.
According to the outlet, police noted that the teen allegedly had marks around her neck consistent with strangulation.
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Blinston owns No Hard Feelings tattoo and piercing shop in Carol Springs, Florida. He competed on the 2015 season of Ink Masters, coming in second.
Reps for Spike TV did not respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
Blinston Responds to Abuse Claim
In an emailed response to PEOPLE’s request for comment, Blinston slammed the criminal case against him as “merely a false accusation that was fabricated by an obviously unfit parent,” referring to his daughter’s mother.
“Once these allegations are dropped, we will be moving forward to personal lawsuits with a focus on the negative effects of co-parenting, misuse of authorities, parental manipulation, coaching and the horrible outcomes of counter coparenting,” Blinston wrote.
